Dr. Paulette Hebert, design, housing and merchandising professor at Oklahoma State University, received the Undergraduate Research Mentor Award from the Board on Human Sciences at this month’s 126th Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities Annual Conference. This prestigious award recognizes a faculty member for their exceptional performance as a research mentor for undergraduate students.
Hebert has mentored the research of undergraduates in securing faculty and student team internships at the prestigious Argonne National Laboratory near Chicago during the summers of 2010 and 2011. With Hebert’s guidance, three student-led teams’ submissions were accepted for the National Sustainable Design Expo on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Under her direction, undergraduate students’ work was accepted to the African Scientific Institutes Forum also in Washington, D.C.
“Dr. Hebert’s efforts will be measurable for years to come in the proliferation of future professionals and the foundation of research she has provided,” her nominators said. “Her engagement in undergraduate research has made extremely positive changes in the lives and futures of students she has worked with.”
Hebert received a bachelor’s degree in interior design and master’s and doctorate degrees in Human Ecology from Louisiana State University. She has been teaching lighting design, interior design and related subjects for more than 20 years. Her research areas include lighting design, facility management and sustainability.
She serves on the board of directors for the Tulsa chapter of the International Facility Management Association. In 2010 during its World Workplace annual conference, IFMA presented Hebert its Educator Award for excellence in developing curriculum and teaching quality. The award also recognizes prominence achieved through research and presentations to professional organizations.
In 2012, Hebert also received the College of Human Sciences’ Undergraduate Mentor Award. The honor goes to one faculty member each year who has brought honor to OSU through sustained contributions to undergraduates with scholarly-creative activity, teaching, and service.
